Jordy Delem placed on season-ending injury list

With virtually no fanfare, the primary MLS transfer window closed on Tuesday. Although the Seattle Sounders did not make a signing, they did make a roster move that will give them a bit of added flexibility when the summer transfer window opens on July 7 and remains open until Aug. 5

The main move they made was to place Jordy Delem the season-ending injury list after he tore his ACL. The move not only opens a roster spot, but also effectively frees up about $200,000 in cap space.

In order to abide by MLS rules that stipulate the added cap space must be used by the end of the primary transfer window, the Sounders designated Kelyn Rowe as the injury-replacement player. That means Rowe’s cap hit — his salary is listed as $180,000 — is effectively removed.

While adding a player who has a Nicolas Lodeiro-type impact at midseason is unlikely, the Sounders should be able to sign at least one player who can help them down the stretch. Considering all MLS salaries are pro-rated, an added $180,000 in cap space could effectively be used to sign a player who makes twice that amount as an annual salary. The Sounders have also hinted pretty heavily at trying to sign a player using the new U22 Initiative.